ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL … Lucas Smith was approved for a three-year contract as Edgerton’s new elementary school principal, effective through the 2026-2027 school year.
By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
The Edgerton Board of Education met on May 20, 2024 at 6 p.m. After members Lyn Bowsher, Bill Swank, Amanda Giesige, Robert Siebenaler, and Nick Hug approved the minutes from their meeting in April.
It was then shared that permission has been granted for use of the gymnasium for the library to host a senior citizen lunch.
Treasurer William Blakely then began his report, sharing that there have been nice increases in participation of the school’s lunch program, as well as related that income tax collection went up 3.8%.
Thanks was given to the administrative assistants that help keep the financial records up to date, and all of the treasurer’s recommendations were accepted as presented after a note was made to correct a mistype in the agenda, where the incorrect month was listed for the financials.
The five-year forecast was provided for the board, with links to the forecast available through the online version of the agenda. The district is funded 39% by local taxes, 58% by state funding, and 3% with other revenue.
This is expected to change as property values increase and enrollment numbers go down. Personnel costs are expected to increase as the staff become more qualified with more tenure and years of experience, with no staff expected to retire in the next five years.
The numbers are expected to get dicey in 2028, but Treasurer Blakely shared that “it’s not at a place of concern yet,” and that he thinks “we’re going to hit a point where we plateau” as birthrates hopefully increase.
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP, which is a federal program through the USDA), which allows all students to eat breakfast and lunch for free, was related to seem like a great benefit to both the students and the district, with the application deadline being June 30th.
Treasurer Blakely requested permission to move forward with the application pending the analysis of the program’s utility to the district.
The superintendent’s recommendations were then approved as presented, which included the students graduating as the class of 2024, an agreement with Joy D. Fruchey and Associated for mental and behavioral health services to students for the 2024-2025 school year, 2024-2025 instructional fees, and the overnight athletic camps set for the 2024-2025 season were approved for volleyball, cross country, and girls’ basketball.
The 2024-2025 curriculum guide was approved, as was a contract for speech services and 2024-2025 sports passes and sports physical packet.
The students were commended for the great job they did on The Sound of Music, with Nora Jackson and Gillian Jackson, the music boosters, and the school staff thanked for all the hard work they put into this year’s production.
FFA and art commendations for the 2023-2024 school year were approved, as were the 2024-2025 student handbooks.
Two policies regarding epi-pens and inhalers were rescinded, and an agreement for athletic training services with Parkview Health System, Inc. for Jake North was approved.
All of Superintendent Meister’s personnel recommendations were approved as presented, which included a three-year contract for Lucas Smith as elementary school principal.
Meister shared that the district is excited to have him join the administrative team, which will now hold four people that Mr. Meister shared “are invested” in the community.
Ben Wilhelm shared that he knows he’ll be a great fit for the job, and he has gotten all of the experience he needs during his time coaching.
Zoe Scott was approved for a one-year contract of being band director, with the board members sharing that she seems like a great fit for this position.
A two-year contract name was amended, and all other recommendations were accepted as presented. His report was accepted as presented, which included current student enrollment and the first reading of proposed NEOLA policy updates.
Principal Brett Grieser then began his report, sharing that kindergarten screening went well this year. Arbor Day was attended by the 5th graders, a shout-out was given to the students involved in the musical and to Nurse Tracy for the job well done on the annual Health Walk.
Staff were honored throughout April and May for the hard work they’ve put into completing the year, and the elementary PTO was thanked for all their support and hard work they’ve done as field trip season officially hits the district. Kindergarten graduation is officially set for May 28th at 5 p.m. in the annex facility.
Principal Ben Wilhelm shared that spring sports tournaments have begun, FFA awards were announced April 14th, FCCC National Technical Honor Society inductions happened on April 25th, the musical happened on April 19th through 21st, April 27th saw prom, May 5th saw the spring concert, and the 9th and 10th grades took a trip to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on May 8th, with mock interviews for the junior and senior classes happening on May 10th.
Four County Career Center Recognition Day happened on May 21st, and Senior Week will be May 20th through 24th. Graduation is set for May 26th at 2 p.m., and the last day for students is May 29th.
The Edgerton Board of Education will meet next on June 24, 2024 at 6 p.m.